Read and learn about adverbs!
Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, or entire sentences. They describe how, when, where, why, to what extent, or how often an action occurs and provide additional information about actions or qualities.
For example:
She sings beautifully.
Classification of adverbs
- Adverbs of manner answer the question "How?"
For example:
quickly, slowly, loudly, beautifully
He ran quickly.
He ran quickly.
- Adverbs of time answer the question "When?"
For example:
yesterday, today, soon, now, later
She will arrive tomorrow.
She will arrive tomorrow.
- Adverbs of place answer the question "Where?"
For example:
here, there, nearby, outside, everywhere
The children are playing outside.
The children are playing outside.
- Adverbs of frequency answer the question "How often?"
For example:
always, often, sometimes, rarely, never
He always eats breakfast.
He always eats breakfast.
- Adverbs of degree answer the question "How much?"
For example:
very, quite, too, enough, almost, completely
I am very tired.
I am very tired.
Place of adverbs in the sentence
Adverbs can be placed in different parts of a sentence:
- At the beginning of the sentence (often for emphasis).
For example:
Yesterday, I went to the park.
- Before the main verb or after the helping verb.
For example:
She always eats breakfast.
He has already left.
He has already left.
- At the end of the sentence (common for adverbs of manner, place, and time).
For example:
They sang beautifully.
Formation of adverbs
Many adverbs are regular and are formed by adding -ly to an adjective.
For example:
quick — quickly, beautiful — beautifully
1. Most adjectives + -ly
Just add -ly to the adjective.
For example:
quick — quickly, slow — slowly, careful — carefully
For example:
quick — quickly, slow — slowly, careful — carefully
2. Adjectives ending in -y
Change -y to -i and add -ly.
For example:
happy — happily, easy — easily
3. Adjectives ending in -le
Change -e to -y.
For example:
gentle — gently, simple — simply
4. Adjectives ending in -ic
Add -ally (not just -ly).
For example:
automatic — automatically, basic — basically
Change -y to -i and add -ly.
For example:
happy — happily, easy — easily
3. Adjectives ending in -le
Change -e to -y.
For example:
gentle — gently, simple — simply
4. Adjectives ending in -ic
Add -ally (not just -ly).
For example:
automatic — automatically, basic — basically
Irregular adverbs do not follow the -ly rule.
For example:
good — well, fast — fast, hard — hard, late — late
Degrees of Comparison
Adverbs can show degrees of comparison like adjectives:
- Positive degree is the base form.
For example:
He runs fast.
- Comparative degree is made by adding -er or using the word more.
For example:
She runs faster than him.
- Superlative degree is made by adding -est or using the word most.
For example:
He runs the fastest in the race.
Table of Adverb Types
